What Knights must learn about $14m man after Kiwi blitz

SEN’s Andrew Voss has praised the performance of New Zealand five-eighth Dylan Brown following a match-winning performance against Samoa in the opening round of the Pacific Championship.

The Kiwis narrowly avoided their first defeat against Samoa in a 24-18 thriller in Auckland. Brown scored the winning try with just seven minutes remaining.

The 25-year-old has faced plenty of criticism this season after signing a $14 million deal for the next 10 years with the Newcastle Knights. However, Voss saw plenty of positives from Brown that will have Newcastle fans more optimistic about their chances in 2026.

“He ended up with the match-winning try,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“It was just one moment from his game but (Brown was great) on both sides of the ball in attack and defence.

“He had 10 runs of the ball on his own and his organisational skills (were on full display). If you’re a Newcastle fan, you’d be pretty encouraged by what you saw.

“He’s always been a good defender. Even when he’s been much maligned, he’s never been a liability in defence.

“From a Newcastle angle, could the key be on the last tackle play, Dylan Brown runs it if he sees something else on?

“Leave the kicking duties for someone other than Dylan Brown.

“Don’t leave all the decision making to him. Let him play in that hybrid six-seven role.”

Brown finished the match with 152 running metres, two try assists, one line break assist, 22 tackles and a try.

SEN’s Greg Alexander was pleased to see Brown return to his strength of running the ball.

“He played a little bit of everything on Sunday,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“He was playing both sides of the field, a bit of general play and being the first receiver.

“What’s the key to Dylan Brown? Running. Just run the ball.

“When he ran the ball, he made half line breaks and it was putting pressure on the defence.

“He just provided a bit of impetus for that Kiwi attack.”

The Kiwis have the bye in the Pacific Championship and will next play against Tonga at Eden Park on November 2.